Barefoot running spikes and accessories

ABSTRACT

A forefoot running sleeve comprises: a top section configured as a sleeve made of a pliable material and having a mid-foot end and a toe end separated by a length of the pliable material, the mid-foot end providing a first opening that is sized to fit around the middle portion of a foot, the toe end having at least one second opening that is sized to fit around a front end of the foot at which one or more toes are attached; and a bottom section attached to the top section and providing at least one strike plate from which one or more surface-gripping affordances are attached.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/975,554, filed on Apr. 4, 2014, having similar title and general content hereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure is related to footwear and in particular to a footwear designed to provide grip and traction to an otherwise barefoot runner.

2. Description of the Related Art

A large number of humans throughout the world participate in activities that involve running, whether for sport and/or exercise or leisurely pursuits. In competitive sports such as track and field (or athletics), these runners often utilize specialized shoes to assist in their cadence across the surface on which they compete. Thus, track sprinters, for example, commonly utilize a track shoe, which has a plurality of spikes or gripping affordances to allow the athlete to grip into the running surface and pull himself/herself forward across the surface. While these track shoes have been made lightweight, they all rely on providing a complete enclosure from toe to heel of both feet as the foundation for the shoe. Human beings, however, have a natural genetic disposition from birth to walk and run barefooted, without the use of shoes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a top view of an example barefoot running sleeve and/or spiked forefoot running sleeve as worn on an foot, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A illustrates a bottom view of the example barefoot running sleeve and/or spiked forefoot running sleeve, according to one embodiment,

FIG. 2B illustrates a second bottom view of the example barefoot running sleeve as worn on a foot, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIGS. 3A and 3B provides a side view of the example barefoot running sleeve with spikes protruding therefrom and as worn on a foot, in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a manufacturing process for generating/manufacturing one or more different designs of the barefoot running sleeve, according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Generally, the illustrative and described embodiments provide a forefoot running sleeve which comprises: a top section configured as a sleeve made of a pliable material and having a mid-foot end and a toe end separated by a length of the pliable material, the mid-foot end providing a first opening that is sized to fit around the middle portion of a foot, the toe end having at least one second opening that is sized to fit around a front end of the foot at which one or more toes are attached; and a bottom section attached to the top section and providing at least one strike plate from which one or more surface-gripping affordances are attached. The innovation provides a wearable forefoot sleeve for use by runners who desire the natural feel and benefits of barefoot running, while incorporating some of the benefits of a spiked shoe typically utilized for sprinting and other athletic endeavors.

The description of the illustrative embodiments is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the basic configurations depicted in the figures may vary. The illustrative components are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are representative to highlight essential components that are utilized to implement aspects of the described embodiments. For example, other devices/components/features may be used in addition to or in place of the ones depicted and/or described. The depicted example is not meant to imply design, usage, or other limitations with respect to the presently described embodiments and/or the general innovation.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments. For example, specific details such as specific method orders, structures, elements, and connections have been presented herein. However, it is to be understood that the specific details presented need not be utilized to practice embodiments of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from general scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

References within the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments”, or “one or more embodiments” are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of such phrases in various places within the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/or parameter names and/or corresponding acronyms thereof, such as those of the executing utility, logic, and/or firmware described herein, are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the described embodiments. The embodiments may thus be described with different nomenclature and/or terminology utilized to describe the components, devices, parameters, methods and/or functions herein, without limitation. References to any specific protocol or proprietary name in describing one or more elements, features or concepts of the embodiments are provided solely as examples of one implementation, and such references do not limit the extension of the claimed embodiments to embodiments in which different element, feature, protocol, or concept names are utilized. Thus, each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in which that term is utilized.

As illustrated by the figures, the forefoot sleeve is physically akin to a wearable claw that leaves the majority of the foot bare (or uncovered) and is thus also referred to as a “barefoot running claw”™. The forefoot running sleeve allows the runner to achieve grip and traction while running on a pliable or grip-able surface such as dirt, grass, synthetic turf, and/or a rubberized track, as utilized in the sport referred to in the United States as track and field or athletics in other parts of the world.

While only one foot is shown in the implementation examples, it is understood that the forefoot running sleeve includes a right and left halves for respective placement on a left and right fore-foot of the wearer, although use of only one half is supported by the very nature of the separation of the forefoot running sleeve into distinct halves. For example, a runner may choose to simultaneously wear two opposing halves (i.e., left side and right side) of two different pairs (size, design, etc.) of the forefoot running sleeve for style or comfort or personal preference.

With general reference to the figures, there is illustrated a single example sleeve that represents one half of a pair of the described forefoot running sleeve. For purposes of the remainder of the description herein, all references to “forefoot running sleeve” are assumed to refer to both the individual half of the pair as well as to the pair (left and right side), where applicable. Examples of the forefoot running sleeve are illustrated by the different views provided by FIGS. 1-3, which depict only a right half of the pair of forefoot running sleeve placed on a right foot or forefoot of a human.

As introduced above, and illustrated by FIGS. 1-3, the forefoot running sleeve 100 includes a top section (FIG. 1A) configured as a sleeve made of a pliable material and having a mid-foot end 120 and a toe end 124 (FIG. 3A-3B) separated by a length of the pliable material 122, the mid-foot end 120 providing a first opening that is sized to fit around the middle portion 130 of a foot 132, the toe end 124 having at least one second opening that is sized to fit around a front end of the foot 132 at which one or more toes 134 are attached. The sleeve 100 also includes a bottom section (FIG. 2A) attached to or extending from the top section and providing at least one strike plate 112 from which one or more surface-gripping affordances 116 (FIGS. 3A-3B) are attached.

In one embodiment (FIGS. 1A-1B, 3A-3B), the top section of sleeve 100 further comprises a zipper assembly 106 attached to the pliable material to allow for opening and closing of the sleeve 100 when placed around the foot 132. The zipper assembly 106 includes: a zip pull 108 that is grip-able to allow the opening and closing of the zipper and which can be placed in a retracted position; and a zip pull receiving latch 109 (FIG. 3A) that receives the zip pull 108 and locks the zip pull 108 in placed when the zip pull 108 is moved into the retracted position. Once placed in the retracted position and interlocked by the receiving latch 109, the zip pull 108 does not move from the retracted position without physical force applied directed to the zip pull, and the zip pull 108 does not impinge the foot 132 when the foot is in movement.

According to one aspect, the mid-foot end is made of an elastic material that is stretchable to allow compression around the mid-portion of the foot when the sleeve is being worn on the foot. Also, in one or more embodiments, the elastic material can include a Velcro end that extends over and completes an attachment to an opposing surface of the elastic material to create the compression around the mid-portion of the foot. Further, in one embodiment, the pliable material is a mesh fabric. And, as provided in the illustrative embodiments, the pliable material can include designs within the mesh fabric.

As provided by the illustrative embodiments, the foot 132 is a human foot extending from a leg 136 (FIG. 3B) and the mid-portion 130 (FIG. 2B) of the foot 132 refers generally to a section immediately behind the balls of the foot. The forefoot then refers to the section extending from the mid-portion of the foot to the ends of the toes. Additionally, the toe end 124 includes five openings 104 each sized to fit around five toes of a human foot oriented from a big toe to a pinky toe. The five specifically sized, individual openings allow for individual flexion of each toe when the foot 132 is in motion while the sleeve 100 is being worn on the forefoot.

In one embodiment, the one or more surface-gripping affordances are fixed to the strike plate 112. In another embodiment, as provided within the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2B, the at least one strike plate 112 includes a plurality of spike receptacles 114 for screw-ably receiving individual gripping spikes, allowing for later attachment of the surface-gripping affordances. In either embodiment, and as illustrated by FIG. 3, the at least one strike plate 112 can include a plurality of spikes (as examples of surface gripping affordances 116) extending vertically downwards from a surface of the at least one strike plate 112. Accordingly, the one or more surface-gripping affordances 116 are athletic spikes that aid in providing traction while running along a surface. Also, with the embodiments allowing for later attachment of the surface-gripping affordances, the one or more surface-gripping affordances 116 are interchangeable for different uses of the sleeve in different endeavors involving movement of the forefoot.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 100 includes a cushioning component 118 atop and/or below the strike plate 112 to aid in decreasing shock and/or other sensations on the forefoot while impacting the ground or surface on which the foot is moving. In one embodiment, the sleeve 100 includes or is paired with one or more accessories, including an attachable heel protector 138 utilized for protecting a heel of the foot when the foot is in contact with a surface. The heel protector can be an adhesive material made of rubber or other pliable substance that reduces shock on the heel and/or that otherwise provides protection to the heel.

As stated herein, the sleeve 100 is designed for one of right foot wear or left foot wear. Accordingly, the sleeve is provided for use as a pair comprising both a right foot sleeve and a left foot sleeve. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate three different views of a right side forefoot running sleeve 100. In accordance with the above description and as generally provided by FIGS. 1-3, forefoot running sleeve 100 includes a sleeve made of a mesh-styled material that is shaped to fit around a left and/or right forefoot of a human. The illustrated sleeve 100 includes hole extensions at the front for insertion of the toes and a back portion that covers the ball of the foot and extends backwards towards the middle of the foot. The toes, ball of the foot, and section through to the middle portion of the foot are collectively referred to herein as the forefoot. While shown as providing a separate covering or hole extension for receiving each of the five (5) toes of the runner, it is contemplated that alternate embodiments can provide for a sleeve that is not worn over the toes at all. Alternatively, one or more embodiments can provide a sleeve that fits over only some of the toes. For example, the sleeve can be designed and/or manufactured with only an opening for the big toe, with the rest of the toes being left exposed, while the remaining portion of the sleeve extends around the rest of the fore-foot (i.e., the middle of the foot to the ball of the foot).

The sleeve can be made of a textile or synthetic fabric or material. The sleeve may also be a structurally formed material or made of flexible material with some amounts of elasticity that allows the sleeve to expand and contour itself to the shape of the foot around which the sleeve is placed. The sleeve can also be a full layered material providing continuous covering over the forefoot when worn. Alternatively, the sleeve can be made of a mesh material with visible holes between the fabric, which can become more pronounced when the sleeve material is stretched, as when pulled over a dimensionally larger forefoot.

Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a top view of the example sleeve, the sleeve can include one or more forms of attachment affordances to aid in securing the sleeve on the forefoot. As shown, the example sleeve includes a zipper extending partially along the top portion of the sleeve. The zipper can be placed in the open position to assist in pulling the sleeve onto the forefoot. The zipper can also be placed in the closed position (shown) to secure the sleeve tightly around the forefoot in order to prevent the sleeve from coming off during running. As an additional affordance, the sleeve can include a Velcro® strap at the very top of the sleeve. When closed in place, the Velcro® strap further secures the sleeve to the forefoot by creating a radial tension along the area of the forefoot beneath the Velcro® strap. This use of the Velcro® strap further assists in securing the sleeve to the forefoot and preventing the sleeve from slipping off the forefoot while the user is running and/or sprinting. It is appreciated that other forms of securing the sleeve to the forefoot are possible, and all such forms are considered applicable to and fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In its simplest design, the use of a stretchable or elastic material throughout the sleeve or in just the top band area (shown as the Velcro® strap) would provide enough tensile pull to secure the sleeve to the forefoot. In one alternate embodiment a heel strap or an ankle strap can be provided to further secure the sleeve or act as an accessory to the sleeve. With these alternate embodiments, the sleeve may include a connecting affordance, such as a Velcro® area, to enable the connection of the heel strap or ankle strap.

As one aspect of the disclosure, the forefoot running sleeve is shown having specific designs within the sleeve. This design feature can be unique to the different embodiments of the forefoot running sleeve, can be specific to a user of the forefoot running sleeve, or can simply be arbitrary. In certain instances, a type of forefoot running sleeve can be identified by the color variations and/or design patterns visible on the forefoot running sleeve. The design patterns may also be unique to a specific athlete, who is an endorsee of the forefoot running sleeve and is sponsored by the forefoot running sleeve manufacturer or seller.

As further shown by FIGS. 2A-2B, at the base of each sleeve 100 are a plurality of receptacles designed for receiving pins or spikes. FIGS. 3A-3B specifically illustrate the example sleeve having four (4) such receptacles in which four corresponding spikes have been screwably inserted (see side profile view of FIGS. 3A-3B. The specific location of each spike and actual number of spikes utilized with each sleeve can vary in various designs of the sleeve, and the illustrated embodiment is not intended to and does not provide any limitations on the extension of this concept to these varying designs.

In at least one embodiment, the spike and receptacle are separate units, and the spikes can be bought separate from the sleeve (complete with empty receptacles) and inserted into the receptacles. These spikes can vary in length based on the usage of the sleeve by the particular user. Thus a spike intended to aid in sprinting can be a different length than one intended to be utilized for longer running activities (e.g., longer distance running). The specific configuration and/or size of the spike can be a design feature, with charts of recommended spike lengths provided along with the sleeves. It is appreciated that not all spikes have to be the same length and a deliberate difference in spike length can be provided and/or recommended based on empirical data collected about the comfort provided to the user by the varying lengths of spikes inserted at each receptacle of the sleeve. It is appreciated that in one or more alternate embodiments, the spikes can be a physical extension of the receptacle portion, forming a single permanent unit that is affixed at the base of the sleeve. The sleeve would thus consist of the spike interwoven or affixed to the bottom thereof.

It is further appreciated that while described as having a receptacle and spike assembly affixed to the bottom of the mesh, other embodiments of the sleeve can be provided that are not intended to utilize spikes, in the above described sense of the term. These alternate embodiments can provide a sleeve with a cushioning component in lieu of spikes and/or in addition to the spikes (e.g., at the base of the receptacles) to aid the runner in decreasing the shock and/or other sensations of the forefoot impacting the ground or surface on which the runner is moving. As a further extension of this concept, the “spikes” can be replaced by grips that are not necessarily pointed and can be spaced (evenly or unevenly) on the bottom surface of the sleeve to allow for better traction on the ground or surface.

It is appreciated that to some extent, the use of the sleeve works best for certain type of runners who utilize more lift and less horizontal drag of their feet when sprinting. The sleeve thus also serves as a sprint training tool to younger athletes to force the athlete's technique towards more efficient running strides that involves more (knee) lift and less impact time on the ground (i.e., less backwards pulling on the surface). These and other benefits to running techniques are achievable and promote the sleeve remaining on the forefoot while the user is sprinting fast, and also promote the sleeve being a comfortable option for the otherwise barefoot runner.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method by which the sleeve 100 of FIGS. 1-3 can be manufactured. Method 400 begins with stitching together a fabric material to create the sleeve shape, complete with the mid-foot end and the toe end and material extending between the two ends (block 402). Method 400 then includes adding an elastic material to the perimeter of the mid-foot end (block 404). Adding the elastic material can optionally include adding a Velcro material to the ends of the elastic material (block 404). Method 400 further includes adding a zipper to a section of the sleeve (block 406) and optionally adding a receiving affordance, such as a latch that allows the zip pull to be retractable (i.e., held in place by a latch) when the zipper is closed (block 406). Method 400 further includes attaching a bottom section including one or more strike plates (block 408), and optionally adding the cushioning behind the strike plates (block 408). Method optionally includes a decision at block 410 whether the sleeves are to include permanent gripping affordances (versus replaceable ones that can be screwed into a receptacle). When the design is to include permanent gripping affordances, method 400 includes adding one or more gripping affordances to the strike plate area (block 412). Alternatively, when the sleeve is not designed to be manufactured with the gripping affordances intact, holes/receptacles are provided within the strike plate for later insertion of the pins/spikes (block 414).

In the above description, exemplary embodiments in which various aspects of the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The above description is an extended summary and therefore, should not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure will be defined by appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Within the descriptions of the different views of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements can be exaggerated relative to other elements.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/or parameter nomenclature is for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the described embodiments. The embodiments may thus be described with different nomenclature and/or terminology utilized to describe the components, devices, parameters, methods and/or functions herein, without limitation. References to any specific proprietary name in describing one or more elements, features or concepts of the embodiments are provided solely as examples of one implementation, and such references do not limit the extension of the claimed embodiments to embodiments in which different element, feature, protocol, or concept names are utilized. Thus, each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in which that terms is utilized.

As further described below, implementation of the functional features of the disclosure described herein can involve use of a combination of hardware, firmware, as well as several software-level constructs (e.g., program code and/or program instructions and/or pseudo-code) that execute to provide a manufacturing process that provides the manufacturing of the above described product.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system, device or component thereof to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out the disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of any appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A forefoot running sleeve comprising: a top section configured as a sleeve made of a pliable material and having a mid-foot end and a toe end separated by a length of the pliable material, the mid-foot end providing a first opening that is sized to fit around the middle portion of a foot, the toe end having at least one second opening that is sized to fit around a front end of the foot at which one or more toes are attached; and a bottom section attached to the top section and providing at least one strike plate from which one or more surface-gripping affordances are attached.
 2. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the top section further comprises a zipper assembly attached to the pliable material to allow for opening and closing of the sleeve when placed around the foot.
 3. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the zipper assembly comprises: a zip pull that is grip-able to allow the opening and closing of the zipper and which can be placed in a retracted position; and a zip pull receiving latch that receives the zip pull and locks the zip pull in placed when the zip pull is moved into the retracted position, wherein the zip pull does not move from the retracted position without physical force applied directed to the zip pull and the sip pull does not impinge the foot when the foot is in movement.
 4. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the mid-foot end is made of an elastic material that is stretchable to allow compression around the mid-portion of the foot when the sleeve is being worn on the foot.
 5. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the elastic material include a Velcro end that extends over and completes an attachment to an opposing surface of the elastic material to create the compression around the mid-portion of the foot.
 6. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the foot is a human foot and the mid-portion of the foot is a section immediately behind the balls of the foot.
 7. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 6, wherein the toe end comprises five openings each sized to fit around five toes of a human foot oriented from a big toe to a pinky toe to allow for individual flexion of each toe while the foot is in motion while the sleeve is being worn on the fore foot.
 8. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the pliable material is a mesh fabric.
 9. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the pliable material includes designs within the mesh fabric.
 10. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the at least one strike plate includes a plurality of spike receptacles for screw-ably receiving individual gripping spikes.
 11. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the at least one strike plate includes a plurality of spikes extending vertically downwards from a surface of the at least one strike plate.
 12. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the one or more surface-gripping affordances are athletic spikes that aid in providing traction while running along a surface.
 13. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the one or more surface-gripping affordances are interchangeable for different uses of the sleeve in different endeavors involving movement of the forefoot.
 14. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the one or more surface-gripping affordances are fixed to the strike plate.
 15. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a cushioning component atop the strike plate to aid in decreasing shock and/or other sensations on the forefoot while impacting the ground or surface on which the foot is moving.
 16. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, further comprising an attachable heel protective extension for protecting a heel of the foot when the foot is in contact with a surface.
 17. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is designed for one of right foot wear or left foot wear.
 18. The forefoot running sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is provided for use as a pair comprising both a right foot sleeve and a left foot sleeve.
 19. A method for making the sleeve of claim
 1. 20. A method for making the sleeve of claim
 11. 